JAMES: 'It's great to be back involved'

O’s midfielder Lloyd James is delighted to be back in action as he made his long-awaited return in Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Morecambe.

The 28-year-old had been out for three months exactly with an Achilles injury, but came off the bench at half time on Saturday to help Orient to victory.

James was pleased to be back out on the pitch once more and is keen to have a big impact in the O’s final nine games of the season as they look to secure a spot in the Play-Offs.

“It has been a tough three months with the injury,” James told Orient PlayerHD.

“I have worked my socks off to get back and that is credit to the physio Peter Webb and fitness coach Craig Smith. They have kept me at it and I feel as fit as I have been for a very long time.

“All credit to them two as they have been brilliant with me though it’s been hard at times with their jokes and banter but I feel good and I can’t wait for next week now.”

Morecambe were reduced to 10 men when Jay Simpson was brought down in the box by Shrimps goalkeeper Barry Roche, but James believed that made it even tougher for the O’s to break the visitors down.

“We were made to work hard. We had a few half chances and I thought the keeper pulled off a few good saves,” he added.

“I didn’t think we were at our best but at the same time it doesn’t matter at this time of the year as it’s about the results. If we get in the Play-Offs or even higher they won’t remember a result like that.

“Teams down to 10 are sometimes harder to play against then 11 because they sit in and frustrate you. We had to keep working hard and we got a bit of luck and it is maybe something we deserved.”